During the month of March, I am forming a bouquet of blog posts using a variety of “roses” that will be formed with these petals from the basket : (1) a quotation, (2) a daily verse, (3) a devotional thought, (4) a book dealing with that day’s topic, and (5) an idea to put into practice!

Petal 1: “Our arms are not strong enough to hold us up in times of grief and suffering, and neither were Job’s. God invites us, as His children, to rest in His strong, everlasting arms.” —Betty Henderson, Grace for Every Trial

Petal 2: “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.” (Deuteronomy 33:27, NLT)

Petal 3: After major surgery a few years ago, my parents and I took daily walks at the Henry Ford Museum. The first day, I was surprised at how weak I was after all that my body—and spirit—had been through; I hadn’t gone very far before I had to sit down. The next day, I made it quite a bit farther—not because I was suddenly back to full strength, but because my parents let me loop my arms through their bent elbows as they “escorted me,” and they held me up with the strength of their arms as we walked around the museum’s perimeter. God promises that no matter what the trial, His everlasting arms are there (just like they were for Job) to hold us up when we run to Him for refuge!

Petal 4: Studying the book of Job doesn’t have to be scary. Grace for Every Trial, a Bible study book written by my dear friend Betty Henderson, focuses on the incredible grace of our sovereign God (as seen in the life of Job)—making it today’s must-read book!

Petal 5: Call, e-mail, or send a card to a friend that you know is going through a trial and let her know you are upholding her weary spiritual arms by praying for her today!